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THE STAND-UP
(article first published : 2005-07-22)

Back by popular demand, Aaron McIlroy’s latest one-man stage comedy The Stand-Up returns to the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest for a limited season from August 2.

After heavily booked Durban seasons earlier this year and a completely sold-out season in East London that pulled rave reviews, the demand to see laugh-a-line funnyman McIlroy in action continues unabated as he airs his achingly funny take on the stand-up comedy business.

Presented by Macbob Productions and co-written and directed by Susan Monteregge, The Stand-Up features the inimitable Aaron casting his laser-beam gaze on the why’s, wherefore’s and where-with-all’s of stage comedy, from the painfully gauche wannabe to the well-oiled old-time headliner.

One of South Africa’s most popular entertainers, with a string of block busters under his belt (The Loser, Mr Personality, My Cousin Brother and the multi award-winning Defending the Planet), McIlroy is notorious for getting audiences’ abs aching and tears of mirth rolling. He is accredited by director Monteregge as “single-handedly transforming theatre into an extreme sport.”

The Stand-Up introduces a clutch of new characters into McIlroy’s popular gallery of loons from past shows. You meet Allen Eustace Woodcraft, for instance, a.k.a. Allen Woody. But devotees can welcome back the ubiquitous Vee Jay, now the owner of a seedy comedy club.

If you’ve already seen The Stand-Up, catch it again. If not, now’s your chance. Early booking is strongly advised.

The Stand-Up runs from August 2 to 14 at The Heritage Theatre for 12 performances only! Shows Tuesdays to Saturdays at 19h00 for 20h30 (Sunday at 12h30 for 14h00).

Ticket price R140 includes a two-course meal and show ticket (R120 Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons).